Definitions and Properties of Graha in Jyotisha and Physics

The very definition of "Planet" in physics has nothing in common with the definition of "Graha" in Jyotisha. Planet is defined as a physical body in physical space revolving round the Sun in a regular manner, and having a certain size above some arbitrary limit accepted by scientists so that smaller bodies like asteroids are excluded, and not intersecting the orbits of other planets so that comets and Pluto are excluded. By this arbitrary definition, Pluto is excluded from Planets and comes in the category of Comets, but no scientist can accept Pluto as a Comet. Besides, there are planets beyond Pluto which fulfill all the conditions and do not intersect other orbits, yet they are arbitrarily excluded from the list of Planets.

On the other hand, the definition of Graha in Jyotisha has nothing to do with physical properties of planets. In ancient texts of Jyotisha by gods or rishis define Grahas as God's incarnations for providing fruits of Karmas to living beings. There are three types of Grahas : Mandala-graha, Taaraa-graha, and Chhaayaa-graha. Mandala-graha (Sun and Moon) has a large disc, Taaraa-graha look like stars, and Chhaayaa-graha (Rahu and Ketu) have no image and are mere shadows of other grahas. Astrological properties of these three categories differ from each other. Astrological properties of Mandala-grahas create the five elements of Panchaanga : Tithi, Karana, Yoga, Nakshatra and Vaara. Eclipses made by Mandala-grahas are significant in comparison to those of other grahas. They have many other special properties too, such as Varsha-pravesha charts made at Sun's Return to specific points in the sky, or Dashaas like Vimshottari made by Moon's longitudes. Other astrological properties of Mandala-grahas are same as those of Taaraa-grahas. Chhaayaa-grahas also have all these common properties barring many special properties, such as Rashmi, Kaaraka, some features of Shadbala, some chakras such as Sapta-naadi-chakra, etc. None of these astrological properties and their respective strengths can be explained on the basis of laws of Physics and properties of physical planets.

Thus, by mixing Physics with Astrology, we will destroy both of them. Physics scientists are correct : they do not mix astrology with physics and keep away from non-physical disciplines. But some moderners are trying to mix these two INCOMPATIBLE disciplines merely because the names of planets in both disciplines seem to be same. However, 'name' does not define 'properties'. For instance, many persons may have same name but have different characteristics.

Some enthusiasts try to visualize astrological planets in terms of Energies just because nodes cannot be seen. But Energy is a form of matter and both are physical entities. The words "material" or "physical" denote an object which can be cognized directly or indirectly by means of sense organs or their instrumental extensions. Anything which cannot be apprehended sensorily is outside the scope of physical sciences : it is the basic premise of modern science and is popularly known as Positivism among scientists. Rahu and Ketu have no physical property of any sort, and they are mere geometrical points in space where lunar orbit intersects the apparent solar orbit, and cannot be accepted as planets in Physics. But in astrology they have strong influences.

Many physical planets like Uranus are excluded in Jyotisha because they are beyond the 60-year orbit of Nakshatras known as Bhakakshaa in ancient texts, and many astrological Sub-planets (upagrahas) like Gulika &c ,and nodes, are excluded in Physics from the list of planets.